Tens of thousands have been evacuated in India and Pakistan as parts of the countries brace for an extremely severe cyclone to hit on Thursday, June 15.
Biparjoy has been churning across the northeastern Arabian Sea, heading toward southern Pakistan and western India since late last week, with winds of 160 kph (100 mph) and gusts up to 195 kph (121 mph). It has weakened slightly since Tuesday, sustaining winds of 150 kph (90 mph), equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane.
In Pakistan, the storm is expected to hit the coast of Sindh province and affect parts of Karachi city.
The Gujarat government said it has evacuated nearly 44,000 people to safety from its coastal districts. The weather office has warned people of blackouts and floods.
Trains in the region have been suspended while the ports of Kandla and Mundra - two of the largest in the country - have stopped operations, authorities said.
The Indian Coast Guard said it evacuated 50 workers from an oil rig off the Gujarat coast on Tuesday.
People have been told to avoid visiting beaches and fishermen have been asked to not venture into the sea.
Mass evacuations have started in Pakistan’s Sindh province, with about 60,000 people sent to temporary shelters, according to local authorities. Plumes of dust have engulfed some parts of the province, reducing visibility and impacting the breathing of many.
The provincial capital Karachi – Pakistan’s largest city, with a population of 22 million – has shut malls and businesses along the coast.
Pakistan’s national carrier, PIA, has implemented a string of precautionary measures, including operating round-the-clock security to minimize any potential hazard to lives or equipment.
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